Thank the people who make Scouting happen
Council awards are the Narragansett Council’s way of honoring adults, businesses and community groups whose service has made a real difference for youth across Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts and Connecticut.
You don’t need to be a longtime volunteer to nominate someone. If you know a leader, parent, partner or organization who has gone above and beyond, this page walks you through which award fits and how to submit a nomination.
Key dates
- 1October 1Nominations open
- 2November 22, 11:59 pmNominations close
- 3FebruaryAwards presented at the Annual Volunteer Dinner
How to nominate someone
- Find the right awardUse the quick match table below to see which award fits your nominee’s service. Then open that award to check the eligibility rules.
- Gather the detailsNote the nominee’s role, how long they’ve served, and specific examples of their impact. The more concrete your examples, the stronger the nomination.
- Submit the online formComplete the 2026 nomination form before 11:59 pm on November 22.
Which award fits your nominee?
Start with the kind of service you want to recognize. Each award name links to its full details.
| If your nominee is known for… | Consider | Must be a registered Scouter? | Organizations eligible? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outstanding service to the council as a volunteer | Silver Beaver | Yes, age 21+ | No |
| Supporting Scouting without being a member | North Star | No, must not be registered | No |
| Promoting faith and the spiritual side of Scouting | Duty to God | Yes | No |
| Keeping Scouts safe and building a safety culture | Distinguished Service to Safety | Not specified | No |
| Union membership plus volunteer service to youth | George Meany | Not specified | No |
| Serving Scouts with special needs | Torch of Gold | Not specified | No |
| Bringing Scouting to rural or low-income urban youth | Whitney M. Young Jr. | Not specified | Yes |
| Supporting the Exploring career program | William H. Spurgeon III | Not specified | Yes |
Award details and eligibility
Select an award to see who it honors and the rules nominees must meet.
Silver Beaver AwardFor registered volunteers with distinguished service to the council
- Who it honors
- Registered volunteer Scouters
- Minimum age
- 21
- Posthumous nominations
- Not accepted
Introduced in 1931, the Silver Beaver is Scouting America’s council-level distinguished service award. It recognizes registered Scouters whose service to the council has made an impact on the lives of youth.
Eligibility notes
- Current professional Scouters, and former professionals within five years of leaving BSA employment, are not eligible.
- Other council employees, part-time or full-time, may be nominated based on their volunteer service, not their paid work.
- Looking to honor someone who isn’t a registered member? See the North Star Award.
North Star AwardFor community supporters who are not Scouting members
- Who it honors
- Individuals who are not registered members
- Often compared to
- The Silver Beaver
- Posthumous nominations
- Not accepted
The North Star honors people who have given exceptional support to Scouting across the council, community and region without being registered members of Scouting America.
Examples of strong nominees
- A business owner who donated land for a service center or camp
- A doctor who provides free physicals and medical support at camps and camporees
- A law firm leader whose firm provides free legal services to the council
- A school superintendent who supports the council
Tip: Include as much detail as you can about why the nominee should be recognized. This award does not replace or supplement the Silver Beaver; it exists specifically for non-Scouters.
Council Duty to God AwardFor leaders who strengthen the spiritual foundation of Scouting
- Who it honors
- Registered Scouters of any faith
- Service required
- 5+ years of leadership
- Prerequisite
- An adult religious recognition
This award recognizes Scouters with an exemplary record of leadership in supporting and promoting faith, fellowship and service at the council level. Nominations are open to candidates from all faiths and religious groups.
Nominees should have
- Five or more years of volunteer or professional leadership in Scouting at the council or territorial level, other organizations, and their own faith tradition.
- Already received the adult religious recognition from their own religious organization, or from another religious organization whose youth they have served.
- An outstanding record of spiritual, moral and ethical leadership in the community and council, regardless of faith tradition.
Distinguished Service to Safety AwardA Narragansett Council honor for championing safety
- Who it honors
- An individual
- Unique to
- Narragansett Council
Presented to someone who has made exceptional contributions to the safety and well-being of our members, whether by promoting a culture of safety, putting effective practices in place, or making sure every activity is a safe environment for all participants.
George Meany AwardFor union members who volunteer with youth through Scouting
- Who it honors
- Union members
- Service required
- No minimum years
Honors union members who have made a significant, positive impact on youth through volunteer service in Scouting America, exemplifying the values of both organized labor and Scouting. A nominee’s record of accomplishment matters more than how long they’ve served.
Service that stands out
- Promoting the American Labor merit badge
- Recruiting youth and union members into Scouting
- Forming union-sponsored units and strengthening ties with the labor movement
- Supporting inclusive Scouting for all youth
Torch of Gold AwardFor outstanding service to Scouts with special needs
Celebrates people who show exceptional dedication, compassion and advocacy so that every Scout, regardless of ability, can thrive and take full part in the Scouting experience.
See also: Scouting for All Abilities
Whitney M. Young Jr. Service AwardFor expanding Scouting to rural and low-income urban youth
- Who it honors
- An adult or an organization
- Who can nominate
- Committee members, staff or any registered Scouter
- Posthumous nominations
- Not accepted
Recognizes outstanding commitment to developing and delivering Scouting for youth from rural or low-income urban backgrounds, helping make Scouting accessible, inclusive and impactful for young people who face barriers to joining.
William H. Spurgeon III AwardThe highest recognition for supporting the Exploring program
- Who it honors
- Exploring leaders and organizations
- Program
- Exploring
Presented to adult Exploring leaders, businesses and community organizations whose service and leadership have helped Exploring grow, creating meaningful career experiences for youth and strengthening ties between Scouting and the community.
Eligible organizations include schools, businesses, labor unions, government agencies, civic clubs, fraternal groups and other community organizations with an outstanding record of leadership in Exploring.
New to Scouting? Terms on this page
- Scouter
- An adult registered with Scouting America, such as a leader, committee member or merit badge counselor.
- Council
- The regional organization that supports local units. Ours is the Narragansett Council.
- Professional Scouter
- A paid, career staff member of Scouting America, as opposed to a volunteer.
- Adult religious recognition
- An award given to adults by their own faith organization for service to youth in that faith.
- Exploring
- A career-focused program where youth explore fields like medicine, law enforcement and engineering.
- Posthumous
- Given after a person has died. Several council awards cannot be presented posthumously.